CINEMATIC TALKS WITH AUTHOR AND POET RIDDHIMA SEN
Pariyerum Perumal (2018) is a film directed by Mari Selvaraj. Already renowned for his dominant craft of filmmaking, his movie focuses on caste atrocities afflicted on individuals who are Dalits or belong to the lower strata of the society. The film stars Karthi as Periyerum Perumal, which translates to the emperor who mounts a horse lexicographically. Although he was not born a king, Parimal ends up becoming one – because of his bravery and courage. Defying the theory of Divine Origin of rulers, there were certain rulers who rose from nothing, devoid of hereditary royalty, like Napoleon Bonaparte. Parimal’s journey from a timid, bullied village boy to a strong, empowered man who chooses to let go of love for self-respect is more than cinema. His loss of his pet dog Karuppi breaks him into pieces, but in a tear-jerking sequence influences him to save his life by preventing himself from being crashed into by a train. The atrocities reflected upon him and his fellow lower caste individuals are heart wrenching. The female protagonist remains quite oblivious to the ill intention of her own family , almost like Sahiban feigning thoughts of her brothers forgiving them , ignorant to the fire and angst of their hatred .
